CITE

    15 USC Sec. 78l                                             01/08/2008

EXPCITE

    TITLE 15 - COMMERCE AND TRADE
    CHAPTER 2B - SECURITIES EXCHANGES

HEAD

    Sec. 78l. Registration requirements for securities

STATUTE

    (a) General requirement of registration
      It shall be unlawful for any member, broker, or dealer to effect
    any transaction in any security (other than an exempted security)
    on a national securities exchange unless a registration is
    effective as to such security for such exchange in accordance with
    the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations
    thereunder. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in
    respect of a security futures product traded on a national
    securities exchange.
    (b) Procedure for registration; information
      A security may be registered on a national securities exchange by
    the issuer filing an application with the exchange (and filing with
    the Commission such duplicate originals thereof as the Commission
    may require), which application shall contain -
        (1) Such information, in such detail, as to the issuer and any
      person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or
      under direct or indirect common control with, the issuer, and any
      guarantor of the security as to principal or interest or both, as
      the Commission may by rules and regulations require, as necessary
      or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
      investors, in respect of the following:
          (A) the organization, financial structure, and nature of the
        business;
          (B) the terms, position, rights, and privileges of the
        different classes of securities outstanding;
          (C) the terms on which their securities are to be, and during
        the preceding three years have been, offered to the public or
        otherwise;
          (D) the directors, officers, and underwriters, and each
        security holder of record holding more than 10 per centum of
        any class of any equity security of the issuer (other than an
        exempted security), their remuneration and their interests in
        the securities of, and their material contracts with, the
        issuer and any person directly or indirectly controlling or
        controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with,
        the issuer;
          (E) remuneration to others than directors and officers
        exceeding $20,000 per annum;
          (F) bonus and profit-sharing arrangements;
          (G) management and service contracts;
          (H) options existing or to be created in respect of their
        securities;
          (I) material contracts, not made in the ordinary course of
        business, which are to be executed in whole or in part at or
        after the filing of the application or which were made not more
        than two years before such filing, and every material patent or
        contract for a material patent right shall be deemed a material
        contract;
          (J) balance sheets for not more than the three preceding
        fiscal years, certified if required by the rules and
        regulations of the Commission by a registered public accounting
        firm;
          (K) profit and loss statements for not more than the three
        preceding fiscal years, certified if required by the rules and
        regulations of the Commission by a registered public accounting
        firm; and
          (L) any further financial statements which the Commission may
        deem necessary or appropriate for the protection of investors.
        (2) Such copies of articles of incorporation, bylaws, trust
      indentures, or corresponding documents by whatever name known,
      underwriting arrangements, and other similar documents of, and
      voting trust agreements with respect to, the issuer and any
      person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or
      under direct or indirect common control with, the issuer as the
      Commission may require as necessary or appropriate for the proper
      protection of investors and to insure fair dealing in the
      security.
        (3) Such copies of material contracts, referred to in paragraph
      (1)(I) above, as the Commission may require as necessary or
      appropriate for the proper protection of investors and to insure
      fair dealing in the security.
    (c) Additional or alternative information
      If in the judgment of the Commission any information required
    under subsection (b) of this section is inapplicable to any
    specified class or classes of issuers, the Commission shall require
    in lieu thereof the submission of such other information of
    comparable character as it may deem applicable to such class of
    issuers.
    (d) Effective date of registration; withdrawal of registration
      If the exchange authorities certify to the Commission that the
    security has been approved by the exchange for listing and
    registration, the registration shall become effective thirty days
    after the receipt of such certification by the Commission or within
    such shorter period of time as the Commission may determine. A
    security registered with a national securities exchange may be
    withdrawn or stricken from listing and registration in accordance
    with the rules of the exchange and, upon such terms as the
    Commission may deem necessary to impose for the protection of
    investors, upon application by the issuer or the exchange to the
    Commission; whereupon the issuer shall be relieved from further
    compliance with the provisions of this section and section 78m of
    this title and any rules or regulations under such sections as to
    the securities so withdrawn or stricken. An unissued security may
    be registered only in accordance with such rules and regulations as
    the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the
    public interest or for the protection of investors.
    (e) Exemption from provisions of section for period ending not
      later than July 1, 1935
      Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the
    Commission may by such rules and regulations as it deems necessary
    or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
    investors, permit securities listed on any exchange at the time the
    registration of such exchange as a national securities exchange
    becomes effective, to be registered for a period ending not later
    than July 1, 1935, without complying with the provisions of this
    section.
    (f) Unlisted trading privileges for security originally listed on
      another national exchange
      (1)(A) Notwithstanding the preceding subsections of this section,
    any national securities exchange, in accordance with the
    requirements of this subsection and the rules hereunder, may extend
    unlisted trading privileges to -
        (i) any security that is listed and registered on a national
      securities exchange, subject to subparagraph (B); and
        (ii) any security that is otherwise registered pursuant to this
      section, or that would be required to be so registered except for
      the exemption from registration provided in subparagraph (B) or
      (G) of subsection (g)(2) of this section, subject to subparagraph
      (E) of this paragraph.
      (B) A national securities exchange may not extend unlisted
    trading privileges to a security described in subparagraph (A)(i)
    during such interval, if any, after the commencement of an initial
    public offering of such security, as is or may be required pursuant
    to subparagraph (C).
      (C) Not later than 180 days after October 22, 1994, the
    Commission shall prescribe, by rule or regulation, the duration of
    the interval referred to in subparagraph (B), if any, as the
    Commission determines to be necessary or appropriate for the
    maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
    investors and the public interest, or otherwise in furtherance of
    the purposes of this chapter. Until the earlier of the effective
    date of such rule or regulation or 240 days after October 22, 1994,
    such interval shall begin at the opening of trading on the day on
    which such security commences trading on the national securities
    exchange with which such security is registered and end at the
    conclusion of the next day of trading.
      (D) The Commission may prescribe, by rule or regulation such
    additional procedures or requirements for extending unlisted
    trading privileges to any security as the Commission deems
    necessary or appropriate for the maintenance of fair and orderly
    markets, the protection of investors and the public interest, or
    otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
      (E) No extension of unlisted trading privileges to securities
    described in subparagraph (A)(ii) may occur except pursuant to a
    rule, regulation, or order of the Commission approving such
    extension or extensions. In promulgating such rule or regulation or
    in issuing such order, the Commission -
        (i) shall find that such extension or extensions of unlisted
      trading privileges is consistent with the maintenance of fair and
      orderly markets, the protection of investors and the public
      interest, and otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this
      chapter;
        (ii) shall take account of the public trading activity in such
      securities, the character of such trading, the impact of such
      extension on the existing markets for such securities, and the
      desirability of removing impediments to and the progress that has
      been made toward the development of a national market system; and
        (iii) shall not permit a national securities exchange to extend
      unlisted trading privileges to such securities if any rule of
      such national securities exchange would unreasonably impair the
      ability of a dealer to solicit or effect transactions in such
      securities for its own account, or would unreasonably restrict
      competition among dealers in such securities or between such
      dealers acting in the capacity of market makers who are
      specialists and such dealers who are not specialists.
      (F) An exchange may continue to extend unlisted trading
    privileges in accordance with this paragraph only if the exchange
    and the subject security continue to satisfy the requirements for
    eligibility under this paragraph, including any rules and
    regulations issued by the Commission pursuant to this paragraph,
    except that unlisted trading privileges may continue with regard to
    securities which had been admitted on such exchange prior to July
    1, 1964, notwithstanding the failure to satisfy such requirements.
    If unlisted trading privileges in a security are discontinued
    pursuant to this subparagraph, the exchange shall cease trading in
    that security, unless the exchange and the subject security
    thereafter satisfy the requirements of this paragraph and the rules
    issued hereunder.
      (G) For purposes of this paragraph -
        (i) a security is the subject of an initial public offering if -
          (I) the offering of the subject security is registered under
        the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.]; and
          (II) the issuer of the security, immediately prior to filing
        the registration statement with respect to the offering, was
        not subject to the reporting requirements of section 78m or
        78o(d) of this title; and
        (ii) an initial public offering of such security commences at
      the opening of trading on the day on which such security
      commences trading on the national securities exchange with which
      such security is registered.
      (2)(A) At any time within 60 days of commencement of trading on
    an exchange of a security pursuant to unlisted trading privileges,
    the Commission may summarily suspend such unlisted trading
    privileges on the exchange. Such suspension shall not be reviewable
    under section 78y of this title and shall not be deemed to be a
    final agency action for purposes of section 704 of title 5. Upon
    such suspension -
        (i) the exchange shall cease trading in the security by the
      close of business on the date of such suspension, or at such time
      as the Commission may prescribe by rule or order for the
      maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
      investors and the public interest, or otherwise in furtherance of
      the purposes of this chapter; and
        (ii) if the exchange seeks to extend unlisted trading
      privileges to the security, the exchange shall file an
      application to reinstate its ability to do so with the Commission
      pursuant to such procedures as the Commission may prescribe by
      rule or order for the maintenance of fair and orderly markets,
      the protection of investors and the public interest, or otherwise
      in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
      (B) A suspension under subparagraph (A) shall remain in effect
    until the Commission, by order, grants approval of an application
    to reinstate, as described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
      (C) A suspension under subparagraph (A) shall not affect the
    validity or force of an extension of unlisted trading privileges in
    effect prior to such suspension.
      (D) The Commission shall not approve an application by a national
    securities exchange to reinstate its ability to extend unlisted
    trading privileges to a security unless the Commission finds, after
    notice and opportunity for hearing, that the extension of unlisted
    trading privileges pursuant to such application is consistent with
    the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the protection of
    investors and the public interest, and otherwise in furtherance of
    the purposes of this chapter. If the application is made to
    reinstate unlisted trading privileges to a security described in
    paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the Commission -
        (i) shall take account of the public trading activity in such
      security, the character of such trading, the impact of such
      extension on the existing markets for such a security, and the
      desirability of removing impediments to and the progress that has
      been made toward the development of a national market system; and
        (ii) shall not grant any such application if any rule of the
      national securities exchange making application under this
      subsection would unreasonably impair the ability of a dealer to
      solicit or effect transactions in such security for its own
      account, or would unreasonably restrict competition among dealers
      in such security or between such dealers acting in the capacity
      of marketmakers who are specialists and such dealers who are not
      specialists.
      (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commission shall by rules
    and regulations suspend unlisted trading privileges in whole or in
    part for any or all classes of securities for a period not
    exceeding twelve months, if it deems such suspension necessary or
    appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
    investors or to prevent evasion of the purposes of this chapter.
      (4) On the application of the issuer of any security for which
    unlisted trading privileges on any exchange have been continued or
    extended pursuant to this subsection, or of any broker or dealer
    who makes or creates a market for such security, or of any other
    person having a bona fide interest in the question of termination
    or suspension of such unlisted trading privileges, or on its own
    motion, the Commission shall by order terminate, or suspend for a
    period not exceeding twelve months, such unlisted trading
    privileges for such security if the Commission finds, after
    appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, that such
    termination or suspension is necessary or appropriate in the public
    interest or for the protection of investors.
      (5) In any proceeding under this subsection in which appropriate
    notice and opportunity for hearing are required, notice of not less
    than ten days to the applicant in such proceeding, to the issuer of
    the security involved, to the exchange which is seeking to continue
    or extend or has continued or extended unlisted trading privileges
    for such security, and to the exchange, if any, on which such
    security is listed and registered, shall be deemed adequate notice,
    and any broker or dealer who makes or creates a market for such
    security, and any other person having a bona fide interest in such
    proceeding, shall upon application be entitled to be heard.
      (6) Any security for which unlisted trading privileges are
    continued or extended pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed
    to be registered on a national securities exchange within the
    meaning of this chapter. The powers and duties of the Commission
    under this chapter shall be applicable to the rules of an exchange
    in respect of any such security. The Commission may, by such rules
    and regulations as it deems necessary or appropriate in the public
    interest or for the protection of investors, either unconditionally
    or upon specified terms and conditions, or for stated periods,
    exempt such securities from the operation of any provision of
    section 78m, 78n, or 78p of this title.
    (g) Registration of securities by issuer; exemptions
      (1) Every issuer which is engaged in interstate commerce, or in a
    business affecting interstate commerce, or whose securities are
    traded by use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of
    interstate commerce shall -
        (A) within one hundred and twenty days after the last day of
      its first fiscal year ended after July 1, 1964, on which the
      issuer has total assets exceeding $1,000,000 and a class of
      equity security (other than an exempted security) held of record
      by seven hundred and fifty or more persons; and
        (B) within one hundred and twenty days after the last day of
      its first fiscal year ended after two years from July 1, 1964, on
      which the issuer has total assets exceeding $1,000,000 and a
      class of equity security (other than an exempted security) held
      of record by five hundred or more but less than seven hundred and
      fifty persons,
    register such security by filing with the Commission a registration
    statement (and such copies thereof as the Commission may require)
    with respect to such security containing such information and
    documents as the Commission may specify comparable to that which is
    required in an application to register a security pursuant to
    subsection (b) of this section. Each such registration statement
    shall become effective sixty days after filing with the Commission
    or within such shorter period as the Commission may direct. Until
    such registration statement becomes effective it shall not be
    deemed filed for the purposes of section 78r of this title. Any
    issuer may register any class of equity security not required to be
    registered by filing a registration statement pursuant to the
    provisions of this paragraph. The Commission is authorized to
    extend the date upon which any issuer or class of issuers is
    required to register a security pursuant to the provisions of this
    paragraph.
      (2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in respect
    of -
        (A) any security listed and registered on a national securities
      exchange.
        (B) any security issued by an investment company registered
      pursuant to section 80a-8 of this title.
        (C) any security, other than permanent stock, guaranty stock,
      permanent reserve stock, or any similar certificate evidencing
      nonwithdrawable capital, issued by a savings and loan
      association, building and loan association, cooperative bank,
      homestead association, or similar institution, which is
      supervised and examined by State or Federal authority having
      supervision over any such institution.
        (D) any security of an issuer organized and operated
      exclusively for religious, educational, benevolent, fraternal,
      charitable, or reformatory purposes and not for pecuniary profit,
      and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of
      any private shareholder or individual; or any security of a fund
      that is excluded from the definition of an investment company
      under section 80a-3(c)(10)(B) of this title.
        (E) any security of an issuer which is a "cooperative
      association" as defined in the Agricultural Marketing Act,
      approved June 15, 1929, as amended [12 U.S.C. 1141 et seq.], or a
      federation of such cooperative associations, if such federation
      possesses no greater powers or purposes than cooperative
      associations so defined.
        (F) any security issued by a mutual or cooperative organization
      which supplies a commodity or service primarily for the benefit
      of its members and operates not for pecuniary profit, but only if
      the security is part of a class issuable only to persons who
      purchase commodities or services from the issuer, the security is
      transferable only to a successor in interest or occupancy of
      premises serviced or to be served by the issuer, and no dividends
      are payable to the holder of the security.
        (G) any security issued by an insurance company if all of the
      following conditions are met:
          (i) Such insurance company is required to and does file an
        annual statement with the Commissioner of Insurance (or other
        officer or agency performing a similar function) of its
        domiciliary State, and such annual statement conforms to that
        prescribed by the National Association of Insurance
        Commissioners or in the determination of such State
        commissioner, officer or agency substantially conforms to that
        so prescribed.
          (ii) Such insurance company is subject to regulation by its
        domiciliary State of proxies, consents, or authorizations in
        respect of securities issued by such company and such
        regulation conforms to that prescribed by the National
        Association of Insurance Commissioners.
          (iii) After July 1, 1966, the purchase and sales of
        securities issued by such insurance company by beneficial
        owners, directors, or officers of such company are subject to
        regulation (including reporting) by its domiciliary State
        substantially in the manner provided in section 78p of this
        title.
        (H) any interest or participation in any collective trust funds
      maintained by a bank or in a separate account maintained by an
      insurance company which interest or participation is issued in
      connection with (i) a stock-bonus, pension, or profit-sharing
      plan which meets the requirements for qualification under section
      401 of title 26, (ii) an annuity plan which meets the
      requirements for deduction of the employer's contribution under
      section 404(a)(2) of title 26, or (iii) a church plan, company,
      or account that is excluded from the definition of an investment
      company under section 80a-3(c)(14) of this title.
      (3) The Commission may by rules or regulations or, on its own
    motion, after notice and opportunity for hearing, by order, exempt
    from this subsection any security of a foreign issuer, including
    any certificate of deposit for such a security, if the Commission
    finds that such exemption is in the public interest and is
    consistent with the protection of investors.
      (4) Registration of any class of security pursuant to this
    subsection shall be terminated ninety days, or such shorter period
    as the Commission may determine, after the issuer files a
    certification with the Commission that the number of holders of
    record of such class of security is reduced to less than three
    hundred persons. The Commission shall after notice and opportunity
    for hearing deny termination of registration if it finds that the
    certification is untrue. Termination of registration shall be
    deferred pending final determination on the question of denial.
      (5) For the purposes of this subsection the term "class" shall
    include all securities of an issuer which are of substantially
    similar character and the holders of which enjoy substantially
    similar rights and privileges. The Commission may for the purpose
    of this subsection define by rules and regulations the terms "total
    assets" and "held of record" as it deems necessary or appropriate
    in the public interest or for the protection of investors in order
    to prevent circumvention of the provisions of this subsection. For
    purposes of this subsection, a security futures product shall not
    be considered a class of equity security of the issuer of the
    securities underlying the security futures product.
    (h) Exemption by rules and regulations from certain provisions of
      section
      The Commission may by rules and regulations, or upon application
    of an interested person, by order, after notice and opportunity for
    hearing, exempt in whole or in part any issuer or class of issuers
    from the provisions of subsection (g) of this section or from
    section 78m, 78n, or 78o(d) of this title or may exempt from
    section 78p of this title any officer, director, or beneficial
    owner of securities of any issuer, any security of which is
    required to be registered pursuant to subsection (g) hereof, upon
    such terms and conditions and for such period as it deems necessary
    or appropriate, if the Commission finds, by reason of the number of
    public investors, amount of trading interest in the securities, the
    nature and extent of the activities of the issuer, income or assets
    of the issuer, or otherwise, that such action is not inconsistent
    with the public interest or the protection of investors. The
    Commission may, for the purposes of any of the above-mentioned
    sections or subsections of this chapter, classify issuers and
    prescribe requirements appropriate for each such class.
    (i) Securities issued by banks
      In respect of any securities issued by banks and savings
    associations the deposits of which are insured in accordance with
    the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq.], the
    powers, functions, and duties vested in the Commission to
    administer and enforce this section and sections 78j-1(m), 78m,
    78n(a), 78n(c), 78n(d), 78n(f), and 78p of this title, and sections
    7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b), 7262, 7264, and 7265 of this
    title, (1) with respect to national banks are vested in the
    Comptroller of the Currency, (2) with respect to all other member
    banks of the Federal Reserve System are vested in the Board of
    Governors of the Federal Reserve System, (3) with respect to all
    other insured banks are vested in the Federal Deposit Insurance
    Corporation, and (4) with respect to savings associations the
    accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
    Corporation are vested in the Office of Thrift Supervision. The
    Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal
    Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the
    Office of Thrift Supervision shall have the power to make such
    rules and regulations as may be necessary for the execution of the
    functions vested in them as provided in this subsection. In
    carrying out their responsibilities under this subsection, the
    agencies named in the first sentence of this subsection shall issue
    substantially similar regulations to regulations and rules issued
    by the Commission under this section and sections 78j-1(m), 78m,
    78n(a), 78n(c), 78n(d), 78n(f), and 78p of this title, and sections
    7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b), 7262, 7264, and 7265 of this
    title, unless they find that implementation of substantially
    similar regulations with respect to insured banks and insured
    institutions are not necessary or appropriate in the public
    interest or for protection of investors, and publish such findings,
    and the detailed reasons therefor, in the Federal Register. Such
    regulations of the above-named agencies, or the reasons for failure
    to publish such substantially similar regulations to those of the
    Commission, shall be published in the Federal Register within 120
    days of October 28, 1974, and, thereafter, within 60 days of any
    changes made by the Commission in its relevant regulations and
    rules.
    (j) Denial, suspension, or revocation of registration; notice and
      hearing
      The Commission is authorized, by order, as it deems necessary or
    appropriate for the protection of investors to deny, to suspend the
    effective date of, to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve
    months, or to revoke the registration of a security, if the
    Commission finds, on the record after notice and opportunity for
    hearing, that the issuer, of such security has failed to comply
    with any provision of this chapter or the rules and regulations
    thereunder. No member of a national securities exchange, broker, or
    dealer shall make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality
    of interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce
    the purchase or sale of, any security the registration of which has
    been and is suspended or revoked pursuant to the preceding
    sentence.
    (k) Trading suspensions; emergency authority
      (1) Trading suspensions
        If in its opinion the public interest and the protection of
      investors so require, the Commission is authorized by order -
          (A) summarily to suspend trading in any security (other than
        an exempted security) for a period not exceeding 10 business
        days, and
          (B) summarily to suspend all trading on any national
        securities exchange or otherwise, in securities other than
        exempted securities, for a period not exceeding 90 calendar
        days.
      The action described in subparagraph (B) shall not take effect
      unless the Commission notifies the President of its decision and
      the President notifies the Commission that the President does not
      disapprove of such decision. If the actions described in
      subparagraph (A) or (B) involve a security futures product, the
      Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
      Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
      (2) Emergency orders
        (A) In general
          The Commission, in an emergency, may by order summarily take
        such action to alter, supplement, suspend, or impose
        requirements or restrictions with respect to any matter or
        action subject to regulation by the Commission or a self-
        regulatory organization under the securities laws, as the
        Commission determines is necessary in the public interest and
        for the protection of investors -
            (i) to maintain or restore fair and orderly securities
          markets (other than markets in exempted securities);
            (ii) to ensure prompt, accurate, and safe clearance and
          settlement of transactions in securities (other than exempted
          securities); or
            (iii) to reduce, eliminate, or prevent the substantial
          disruption by the emergency of -
              (I) securities markets (other than markets in exempted
            securities), investment companies, or any other significant
            portion or segment of such markets; or
              (II) the transmission or processing of securities
            transactions (other than transactions in exempted
            securities).
        (B) Effective period
          An order of the Commission under this paragraph shall
        continue in effect for the period specified by the Commission,
        and may be extended. Except as provided in subparagraph (C), an
        order of the Commission under this paragraph may not continue
        in effect for more than 10 business days, including extensions.
        (C) Extension
          An order of the Commission under this paragraph may be
        extended to continue in effect for more than 10 business days
        if, at the time of the extension, the Commission finds that the
        emergency still exists and determines that the continuation of
        the order beyond 10 business days is necessary in the public
        interest and for the protection of investors to attain an
        objective described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of
        subparagraph (A). In no event shall an order of the Commission
        under this paragraph continue in effect for more than 30
        calendar days.
        (D) Security futures
          If the actions described in subparagraph (A) involve a
        security futures product, the Commission shall consult with and
        consider the views of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
        (E) Exemption
          In exercising its authority under this paragraph, the
        Commission shall not be required to comply with the provisions
        of -
            (i) section 78s(c) of this title; or
            (ii) section 553 of title 5.
      (3) Termination of emergency actions by President
        The President may direct that action taken by the Commission
      under paragraph (1)(B) or paragraph (2) of this subsection shall
      not continue in effect.
      (4) Compliance with orders
        No member of a national securities exchange, broker, or dealer
      shall make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of
      interstate commerce to effect any transaction in, or to induce
      the purchase or sale of, any security in contravention of an
      order of the Commission under this subsection unless such order
      has been stayed, modified, or set aside as provided in paragraph
      (5) of this subsection or has ceased to be effective upon
      direction of the President as provided in paragraph (3).
      (5) Limitations on review of orders
        An order of the Commission pursuant to this subsection shall be
      subject to review only as provided in section 78y(a) of this
      title. Review shall be based on an examination of all the
      information before the Commission at the time such order was
      issued. The reviewing court shall not enter a stay, writ of
      mandamus, or similar relief unless the court finds, after notice
      and hearing before a panel of the court, that the Commission's
      action is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or
      otherwise not in accordance with law.
      (6) Consultation
        Prior to taking any action described in paragraph (1)(B), the
      Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
      Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal
      Reserve System, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
      unless such consultation is impracticable in light of the
      emergency.
      (7) Definitions
        For purposes of this subsection -
          (A) the term "emergency" means -
            (i) a major market disturbance characterized by or
          constituting -
              (I) sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities
            prices generally, or a substantial threat thereof, that
            threaten fair and orderly markets; or
              (II) a substantial disruption of the safe or efficient
            operation of the national system for clearance and
            settlement of transactions in securities, or a substantial
            threat thereof; or
            (ii) a major disturbance that substantially disrupts, or
          threatens to substantially disrupt -
              (I) the functioning of securities markets, investment
            companies, or any other significant portion or segment of
            the securities markets; or
              (II) the transmission or processing of securities
            transactions; and
          (B) notwithstanding section 78c(a)(47) of this title, the
        term "securities laws" does not include the Public Utility
        Holding Company Act of 1935.(!1)
    (l) Issuance of any security in contravention of rules and
      regulations; application to annuity contracts and variable life
      policies
      It shall be unlawful for an issuer, any class of whose securities
    is registered pursuant to this section or would be required to be
    so registered except for the exemption from registration provided
    by subsection (g)(2)(B) or (g)(2)(G) of this section, by the use of
    any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the
    mails, to issue, either originally or upon transfer, any of such
    securities in a form or with a format which contravenes such rules
    and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or
    appropriate for the prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of
    transactions in securities. The provisions of this subsection shall
    not apply to variable annuity contracts or variable life policies
    issued by an insurance company or its separate accounts.

SOURCE

    (June 6, 1934, ch. 404, title I, Sec. 12, 48 Stat. 892; May 27,
    1936, ch. 462, Sec. 1, 49 Stat. 1375; Aug. 10, 1954, ch. 667, title
    II, Sec. 202, 68 Stat. 686; Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3, Aug. 20, 1964,
    78 Stat. 565; Pub. L. 90-439, Sec. 1, July 29, 1968, 82 Stat. 454;
    Pub. L. 91-547, Sec. 28(c), Dec. 14, 1970, 84 Stat. 1435; Pub. L.
    93-495, title I, Sec. 105(b), Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1503; Pub. L.
    94-29, Secs. 8, 9, June 4, 1975, 89 Stat. 117, 118; Pub. L. 99-514,
    Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 100-181, title III,
    Sec. 314, Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1256; Pub. L. 101-73, title VII,
    Sec. 744(u)(2), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 441; Pub. L. 101-432, Sec.
    2, Oct. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 963; Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2, Oct. 22,
    1994, 108 Stat. 4081; Pub. L. 104-62, Sec. 4(d), Dec. 8, 1995, 109
    Stat. 685; Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Secs. 206(e),
    208(b)(1), (2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-431, 2763A-
    435; Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4), title II, Sec. 205(c)(1), July
    30, 2002, 116 Stat. 749, 774; Pub. L. 108-359, Sec. 1(c)(2), Oct.
    25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1666; Pub. L. 108-386, Sec. 8(f)(4), Oct. 30,
    2004, 118 Stat. 2232; Pub. L. 108-458, title VII, Sec. 7803(b),
    (c), Dec. 17, 2004, 118 Stat. 3861, 3862.)

REFERENCES IN TEXT

      This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a), (f), and (j), was in
    the original "this title". See References in Text note set out
    under section 78a of this title.
      The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec.
    (f)(1)(G)(i)(I), is act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, title I, 48 Stat. 74,
    as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 77a
    et seq.) of chapter 2A of this title. For complete classification
    of this Act to the Code, see section 77a of this title and Tables.
      The Agricultural Marketing Act, approved June 15, 1929, as
    amended, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(E), is act June 15, 1929,
    ch. 24, 46 Stat. 11, as amended, which is classified generally to
    chapter 7A (Sec. 1141 et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For
    complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section
    1141j(f) of Title 12 and Tables.
      The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, referred to in subsec. (i), is
    act Sept. 21, 1950, ch. 967, Sec. 2, 64 Stat. 873, as amended,
    which is classified generally to chapter 16 (Sec. 1811 et seq.) of
    Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete classification of this
    Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1811 of
    Title 12 and Tables.
      The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in
    subsec. (k)(7)(B), is title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, 49
    Stat. 803, as amended, which was classified generally to chapter 2C
    (Sec. 79 et seq.) of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109-58,
    title XII, Sec. 1263, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 974. For complete
    classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

AMENDMENTS

      2004 - Subsec. (g)(2)(H)(iii). Pub. L. 108-359 added cl. (iii).
      Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 108-386 struck out "and banks operating
    under the Code of Law for the District of Columbia" after "national
    banks".
      Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 108-458, Sec. 7803(b)(1), amended par.
    (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) provided Commission
    authority to make emergency orders.
      Subsec. (k)(6), (7). Pub. L. 108-458, Sec. 7803(c), added pars.
    (6) and (7) and struck out heading and text of former par. (6).
    Text read as follows: "For purposes of this subsection, the term
    'emergency' means a major market disturbance characterized by or
    constituting -
        "(A) sudden and excessive fluctuations of securities prices
      generally, or a substantial threat thereof, that threaten fair
      and orderly markets, or
        "(B) a substantial disruption of the safe or efficient
      operation of the national system for clearance and settlement of
      securities, or a substantial threat thereof."
      2002 - Subsec. (b)(1)(J), (K). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 205(c)(1),
    substituted "a registered public accounting firm" for "independent
    public accountants".
      Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4)(B), substituted "and
    78p of this title, and sections 7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7261(b),
    7262, 7264, and 7265 of this title," for "and 78p of this title,"
    in two places.
      Pub. L. 107-204, Sec. 3(b)(4)(A), substituted "this section and
    sections 78j-1(m), 78m" for "this section and sections 78m" in two
    places.
      2000 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    208(b)(1)], inserted at end "The provisions of this subsection
    shall not apply in respect of a security futures product traded on
    a national securities exchange."
      Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    208(b)(2)], inserted at end "For purposes of this subsection, a
    security futures product shall not be considered a class of equity
    security of the issuer of the securities underlying the security
    futures product."
      Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    206(e)(1)], inserted at end "If the actions described in
    subparagraph (A) or (B) involve a security futures product, the
    Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission."
      Subsec. (k)(2)(B). Pub. L. 106-554, Sec. 1(a)(5) [title II, Sec.
    206(e)(2)], inserted after first sentence "If the actions described
    in subparagraph (A) involve a security futures product, the
    Commission shall consult with and consider the views of the
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission."
      1995 - Subsec. (g)(2)(D). Pub. L. 104-62 inserted before period
    at end "; or any security of a fund that is excluded from the
    definition of an investment company under section 80a-3(c)(10)(B)
    of this title".
      1994 - Subsec. (f)(1), (2). Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2(a), added
    pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which
    related to extension of unlisted trading privileges for securities
    originally listed on another national exchange and approval process
    for application for extension of such privileges, respectively.
      Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 103-389, Sec. 2(b), substituted
    "Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Commission" for "The
    Commission".
      1990 - Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101-432 amended subsec. (k)
    generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (k) read as follows: "If in
    its opinion the public interest and the protection of investors so
    require, the Commission is authorized summarily to suspend trading
    in any security (other than an exempted security) for a period not
    exceeding ten days, or with the approval of the President,
    summarily to suspend all trading on any national securities
    exchange or otherwise, in securities other than exempted
    securities, for a period not exceeding ninety days. No member of a
    national securities exchange, broker, or dealer shall make use of
    the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to
    effect any transaction in, or to induce the purchase or sale of,
    any security in which trading is so suspended."
      1989 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101-73, in first sentence, inserted
    "and savings associations" after "securities issued by banks",
    struck out "or institutions the accounts of which are insured by
    the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation" before ", the
    powers, functions, and duties", inserted new cl. (4) and struck out
    former cl. (4) which read "with respect to institutions the
    accounts of which are insured by the Federal Savings and Loan
    Insurance Corporation are vested in the Federal Home Loan Bank
    Board", and, in second sentence, substituted "Office of Thrift
    Supervision" for "Federal Home Loan Bank Board".
      1987 - Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 100-181 struck out subsec. (m) which
    read as follows: "The Commission is authorized and directed to make
    a study and investigation of the practice of recording the
    ownership of securities in the records of the issuer in other than
    the name of the beneficial owner of such securities to determine
    (1) whether such practice is consistent with the purposes of this
    chapter, with particular reference to subsection (g) of this
    section and sections 78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78p, and 78q-1 of this
    title, and (2) whether steps can be taken to facilitate
    communications between issuers and the beneficial owners of their
    securities while at the same time retaining the benefits of such
    practice. The Commission shall report to the Congress its
    preliminary findings within six months after June 4, 1975, and its
    final conclusions and recommendations within one year of such
    date."
      1986 - Subsec. (g)(2)(H). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted "Internal
    Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which
    for purposes of codification was translated as "title 26" thus
    requiring no change in text.
      1975 - Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(1), added subpar.
    (C) and in provisions following subpar. (C), substituted "is based"
    for "was originally based" and "remains listed and registered on a
    national securities exchange" for "shall remain listed and
    registered on any other national securities exchange".
      Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(1), substituted "after
    notice and opportunity for hearing" for "after appropriate notice
    and opportunity for hearing" and "consistent with the maintenance
    of fair and orderly markets and the protection of investors" for
    "necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the
    protection of investors" in existing provisions and added the
    enumeration of matters to be taken into account by the Commission
    in considering an application for the extension of unlisted trading
    privileges to a security not listed and registered on a national
    securities exchange.
      Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 8(2), substituted "this
    chapter" for "section 78s(b) of this title".
      Subsecs. (j) to (m). Pub. L. 94-29, Sec. 9, added subsecs. (j) to
    (m).
      1974 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 93-495 added coverage of institutions
    insured by the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, cl.
    (4), and provisions authorizing the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to
    promulgate necessary rules and regulations, and substituted
    provisions relating to issuance of regulations in order to
    implement agency responsibility under this subsec. for provisions
    relating to the binding effect of rules, regulations, forms or
    orders issued or adopted by the Commission pursuant to this
    chapter.
      1970 - Subsec. (g)(2)(H). Pub. L. 91-547 added subpar. (H).
      1968 - Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 90-439 inserted "78n(d), 78n(f),"
    after "78n(c)".
      1964 - Subsec. (b)(1)(I) to (L). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(a)(1),
    (2), added subpar. (I) and redesignated former subpars. (I) to (K)
    as (J) to (L), respectively.
      Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(a)(3), added par. (3).
      Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated first par.
    as (1), redesignated cl. (1) as cl. (A) and substituted therein
    "July 1, 1964" for "March 1, 1934", redesignated cl. (2) as cl. (B)
    and struck out the provision for continuation of unlisted trading
    privileges, which is now incorporated in concluding sentence, and
    struck out cl. (3) which permitted a national security exchange to
    extend unlisted trading privileges to any security in respect to
    which there was available information substantially equivalent to
    that available in respect to a security duly listed and registered
    on a national securities exchange, so long as the registration
    statement was effective and the reports and data continued to be
    filed.
      Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated first
    sentence of second par. as (2) and substituted therein "finds,
    after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, that the
    extension" for "finds that the continuation or extension", and
    struck out second through sixth sentences of such second par. which
    related as follows: the second sentence, to notice and opportunity
    for hearing, now incorporated in par. (2); the third sentence, to
    conditions (respecting sufficiently widespread public distribution
    and sufficient public trading activity) for approval of application
    to extend unlisted trading privileges to any security pursuant to
    former clauses (2) and (3) of subsec. (f); the fourth sentence, to
    terms and conditions (subjecting issuer, officers, and directors of
    issuer, and beneficial owners of more than 10 per centum of the
    securities to duties equivalent to duties if the securities were
    registered on a national security exchange) for approval of
    application to extend unlisted trading privileges to any security
    pursuant to former clause (3) of subsec. (f); the fifth sentence,
    to requirement for differentiation by national security exchanges
    between quotations or transactions in listed securities and in
    securities with unlisted trading privileges, now covered by section
    78s(b) of this title; the sixth sentence, to grouping under
    separate headings of quotations or transactions in listed
    securities and in securities with unlisted trading privileges, in
    the publication of quotations or transactions.
      Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated third par.
    as (3).
      Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated second
    sentence of fourth par. as (4), struck out "by reason of inadequate
    public distribution of such security in the vicinity of said
    exchange, or by reason of inadequate public trading activity or of
    the character of trading therein on said exchange," before "such
    termination or suspension is necessary", and struck out first
    sentence of fourth par. which provided for the termination under
    certain conditions of unlisted trading privileges continued for any
    security pursuant to former cl. (1) of subsec. (f), now
    incorporated in par. (1)(A) of subsec. (f).
      Subsec. (f)(5), (6). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(b), designated fifth
    and sixth pars. as (5) and (6).
      Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 88-467, Sec. 3(c)-(e), added
    subsecs. (g) to (i).
      1954 - Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 10, 1954, repealed last sentence
    requiring that rules and regulations limit the registration of
    unissued security to specified cases.
      1936 - Subsec. (f). Act May 27, 1936, amended first par. and
    added subsequent pars.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2004 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 108-386 effective Oct. 30, 2004, and, except
    as otherwise provided, applicable with respect to fiscal year 2005
    and each succeeding fiscal year, see sections 8(i) and 9 of Pub. L.
    108-386, set out as notes under section 321 of Title 12, Banks and
    Banking.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 104-62 applicable as defense to any claim in
    administrative and judicial actions pending on or commenced after
    Dec. 8, 1995, that any person, security, interest, or participation
    of type described in Pub. L. 104-62 is subject to the Securities
    Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment
    Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or any
    State statute or regulation preempted as provided in section 80a-3a
    of this title, except as specifically provided in such statutes,
    see section 7 of Pub. L. 104-62, set out as a note under section
    77c of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1975 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 94-29 effective June 4, 1975, see section
    31(a) of Pub. L. 94-29, set out as a note under section 78b of this
    title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by Pub. L. 91-547 effective Dec. 14, 1970, see section
    30 of Pub. L. 91-547, set out as a note under section 80a-52 of
    this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1964 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by section 3(a), (c) of Pub. L. 88-467 effective July
    1, 1964, and amendment by section 3(b), (d), (e) of Pub. L. 88-467
    effective Aug. 20, 1964, see section 13 of Pub. L. 88-467, set out
    as a note under section 78c of this title.
                     EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1954 AMENDMENT
      Amendment by act Aug. 10, 1954, effective 60 days after Aug. 10,
    1954, see note under section 77b of this title.

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS

      For transfer of functions of Securities and Exchange Commission,
    with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg.
    Plan No. 10 of 1950, Secs. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175,
    64 Stat. 1265, set out under section 78d of this title.

FOOTNOTE

    (!1) See References in Text note below.
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